I will be in Sevilla studying next year and I was just wondering if anyone knew if it is easy/hard to make friends with locals. I am going on a program with the University of Chicago, and considering the fact that the people I am going with are the dregs of humanity, and worse still, socially inept(to say the least), I would really like to hang out with local Spaniards and the like.

I was in your shoes a couple years ago, but in The Netherlands. The best way to meet the locals are one of these two ways. Does your school in Sevilla have some type of Erasmus Student Network program where Spanish students at the school help you out? If you havg out with these people for a while, you will get more immersed with the local culture.

Another way is to go to local hang outs like bars or clubs. If your Spanish is good, then you should be able to have no problem as the Spanish are very friendly. Also, will your program have students from other countries? This is a great way to meet some people from other European countries as well.

If you're going to study in Sevilla, no matter how socially inept you might feel, YOU WILL HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO PROBLEMS MEETING LOCALS AND FRIENDS!!!! There is a side of Sevilla which feels like a big University town. There are so many students everywhere. Once you get there, just listen in and ask around where the other students hang out. Invite others or yourself in, and join! You're bound to rub arms and make lots of friends. Just go to any tapas joint, you'll drink, eat and be merry! Don't worry, just be yourself, and be open!!!

Don't forget to catch some good flamenco music and dance while you're there, and Sevilla'n staple!!!